SHILLONG, April 19: NPP’s national vice president, Sniawbhalang Dhar said that he would want the PDF MLAs to join the NPP at the earliest.
“I am not privy about how far the discussion of the proposed merger has reached. The two PDF MLAs can give more insight to this proposed move,” Dhar said when asked if he was instrumental in bringing the PDF to the path of negotiation of a possible merger.
According to him, if there is such a move, it is a collective decision of the party.
When asked if the NPP is also trying to persuade the two HSPDP MLAs to join the NPP, Dhar said that they will be more than happy if everybody would merge with the party, while refraining from making further remarks.
He, however, made it clear that there would be no change in the Cabinet berths regardless of the outcome of the deferred Sohiong election.
The NPP national vice president, on the other hand, said that the party has edge over others in Sohiong.
“We will have a clearer picture when we are close to the day of polling,” Dhar said.
Kharlukhi confident
NPP State president and Parliamentarian WR Kharlukhi is cent per cent sure of a win for the party in the upcoming Sohiong bypoll.
“No government loses a by-election. We are targeting to win and we are in the government. I am cent per cent sure we are winning,” said Kharlukhi on Wednesday.
He however maintained that it will be a strong fight.
The election to the Sohiong Assembly constituency in the East Khasi Hills district is scheduled for May 10. The election was deferred following the death of UDP candidate HDR Lyngdoh ahead of the February 27 general elections.
While the UDP is counting on sympathy wave in favour of its former candidate, HDR Lyngdoh, to win the Sohiong seat, the NPP is confident that the people would vote for the candidate representing the ruling party.
Talking about the Lok Sabha elections, Kharlukhi said that they will go all out against Congress State president and three-time MP, Vincent Pala.
“We are putting up a candidate and no alliance,” he said.